With four of the region's top 10 amateur golfers -- defending champion Grant Schumaker (Robert Morris), 2013 quarterfinalists Cole Miller (Penn State) and Chad Hess (Old Dominion) and Binghamton sophomore Kyle Wambold -- playing college golf far from home, the tournament will have a veteran flavor this year.

"This year, we lost a lot of young players," said Green Pond head pro John Kulhamer, now in his 21st year of conducting the tournament. "Definitely, a mid-am age player can win this year. The older guys have a lot more of a chance to win."

This year's 78th edition of the Lehigh Valley Amateur will be played Sept. 20-28. Entries are being accepted for the event that began in 1934.

Given that the average age of the six Lehigh Valley Amateur champions from 2007-12 was 42.5 and match play is a competitive format that younger golfers are not exposed to very much, the tournament has usually rewarded experience over youth.

Wilson, the reigning Green Pond club champion, is one of the pre-tournament favorites. After losing a 3-up lead with six holes to play in last year's quarterfinals to eventual finalist Tyler Smith, the 40-year-old Wilson went to Bethlehem Golf Club teaching pro Paul Viola to revamp his golf swing.

"He (Wilson) has really worked hard on his golf swing," noted Kulhamer. "He doesn't hook the ball anymore. He is due."

Barring any unforeseen entries, the most talented golfer at this year's Lehigh Valley Amateur is likely to be 26-year-old Zach Fischl of Northampton. Armed with five career individual local tournament victories, a 2014 U.S. Mid-Amateur qualification, a new accurate 3-wood shot off the tee, prodigious length and an excellent short game, Fischl has all the tools it takes to win the tournament.

"He's always been a good player but he has matured as a player this year," Kulhamer said. "Mentally, he has gotten stronger. He definitely has the game to win."